by_o so_o many_o different_a and_o far_o distant_a nation_n without_o some_o good_a ground_n be_v not_o conceivable_a because_o it_o can_v neither_o be_v imagine_v that_o thâ—_n christian_n of_o the_o present_a age_n disperse_v in_o all_o countriâ—_n shall_v combine_v together_o to_o say_v that_o they_o receiv'â—_n these_o book_n from_o their_o father_n as_o the_o genuine_a writing_n of_o the_o apostle_n if_o they_o have_v not_o so_o receive_v they_o nor_o that_o their_o forefather_n in_o any_o of_o the_o age_n paâ—â—_n shall_v have_v all_o agree_v together_o to_o put_v a_o cheat_n upoâ—_n their_o posterity_n by_o deliver_v down_o to_o they_o theâ—â—_n book_n as_o write_v by_o the_o apostle_n when_o they_o themselves_o have_v no_o good_a reason_n to_o believe_v they_o so_o or_o whâ—â—_n they_o know_v the_o contrary_n it_o be_v a_o further_a satisfaction_n to_o we_o to_o observe_v and_o consider_v that_o the_o authority_n of_o these_o book_n be_v as_o well_o prove_v as_o it_o can_v be_v 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be_v write_v by_o the_o repute_a author_n thereof_o be_v the_o enemy_n of_o our_o religion_n the_o jew_n or_o the_o heathen_n who_o neither_o of_o they_o want_v either_o malice_n or_o wit_n to_o allege_v any_o fact_n that_o they_o can_v have_v justify_v the_o truth_n of_o in_o disproof_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n it_o be_v therefore_o no_o small_a satisfaction_n to_o we_o to_o observe_v that_o they_o never_o argue_v against_o the_o christian_a religion_n from_o this_o topic_n that_o they_o never_o deny_v that_o the_o book_n which_o the_o christian_n receive_v as_o write_v by_o the_o apostle_n be_v genuine_a nay_o that_o julian_n himself_o one_o of_o the_o subtle_a as_o well_o as_o of_o the_o bitter_a adversary_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n do_v yet_o express_o own_o that_o the_o book_n read_v by_o the_o christian_n as_o the_o book_n of_o peter_n paul_n matthew_n mark_n and_o luke_n be_v indeed_o they_o after_o all_o indeed_o it_o must_v be_v own_v that_o we_o have_v not_o 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to_o be_v it_o may_v be_v the_o atheist_n or_o infidel_n will_v say_v that_o these_o book_n be_v not_o write_v by_o the_o person_n under_o who_o name_n we_o receive_v they_o but_o by_o some_o other_o it_o may_v be_v he_o will_v say_v for_o instance_n that_o there_o never_o be_v such_o a_o man_n as_o matthew_n the_o publican_n afterward_o a_o apostle_n of_o christ_n or_o if_o there_o be_v yet_o it_o may_v be_v that_o the_o gospel_n that_o go_v under_o his_o name_n be_v not_o of_o his_o write_n but_o be_v a_o book_n of_o a_o much_o late_a date_n it_o may_v be_v that_o it_o be_v write_v by_o some_o crafty_a priest_n no_o long_o ago_o than_o the_o last_o age_n and_o that_o he_o and_o some_o other_o in_o confederacy_n with_o he_o at_o the_o same_o time_n that_o they_o forge_v this_o gospel_n in_o the_o greek_a tongue_n do_v likewise_o make_v and_o contrive_v all_o those_o translation_n of_o it_o into_o several_a language_n that_o be_v now_o extant_a some_o of_o which_o pretend_v to_o very_o 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less_o easy_a to_o conceive_v that_o a_o stand_a revelation_n may_v be_v at_o once_o so_o contrive_v as_o to_o be_v for_o ever_o sufficient_a to_o direct_v man_n in_o all_o point_n of_o practice_n because_o although_o it_o be_v possible_a that_o every_o age_n may_v afford_v new_a instance_n of_o wickedness_n yet_o the_o law_n that_o they_o be_v all_o transgression_n of_o may_v be_v but_o one_o and_o the_o rule_n once_o give_v be_v a_o perpetual_a direction_n not_o only_o what_o to_o do_v but_o likewise_o what_o to_o avoid_v and_o this_o as_o well_o in_o those_o instance_n of_o wickedness_n which_o may_v be_v invent_v afterward_o as_o in_o those_o which_o be_v in_o practice_n before_o the_o rule_n be_v make_v for_o he_o that_o give_v direction_n to_o a_o traveller_n in_o his_o way_n bid_v he_o keep_v straight_o forward_o shall_v not_o need_v if_o he_o speak_v to_o a_o man_n of_o reason_n to_o tell_v he_o over_z and_o above_o that_o he_o must_v be_v careful_a to_o avoid_v all_o turn_n 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law_n nothing_o be_v render_v unlawful_a but_o what_o be_v name_v and_o to_o name_v at_o once_o every_o thing_n that_o be_v then_o or_o may_v be_v in_o all_o after_o age_n needful_a to_o be_v prohibit_v will_v indeed_o be_v a_o work_n of_o very_o great_a difficulty_n partly_o from_o the_o nature_n of_o that_o obedience_n that_o be_v due_a to_o a_o mere_a humane_a law_n which_o be_v only_o a_o external_a obedience_n and_o to_o the_o letter_n of_o the_o law_n and_o that_o indeed_o must_v needs_o be_v a_o law_n or_o a_o body_n of_o law_n of_o a_o prodigious_a bulk_n and_o very_o difficult_a to_o be_v contrive_v at_o once_o which_o in_o the_o letter_n thereof_o shall_v comprehend_v and_o give_v direction_n concern_v every_o action_n and_o every_o mode_n of_o action_n that_o be_v necessary_a to_o be_v do_v or_o forbear_v in_o order_n to_o the_o preserve_a justice_n and_o peace_n among_o man_n partly_o from_o the_o little_a regard_n that_o man_n general_o have_v to_o the_o good_a of_o posterity_n which_o make_v they_o only_o careful_a to_o contrive_v such_o order_n and_o constitution_n as_o they_o hope_v will_v suffice_v to_o preserve_v peace_n in_o their_o own_o time_n leave_v it_o to_o those_o that_o come_v after_o to_o take_v the_o like_a care_n for_o themselves_o in_o their_o time_n partly_o from_o the_o weakness_n and_o ignorance_n of_o the_o wise_a of_o man_n who_o not_o understand_v exact_o the_o temper_n of_o all_o their_o subject_n can_v know_v certain_o what_o effect_v their_o law_n will_v have_v till_o after_o they_o have_v be_v for_o some_o time_n experience_v and_o partly_o from_o the_o unexpected_a difficulty_n that_o be_v sometime_o meet_v with_o in_o the_o execution_n of_o a_o law_n which_o may_v make_v it_o necessary_a afterward_o to_o enforce_v it_o with_o a_o great_a penalty_n or_o to_o take_v some_o further_a care_n than_o at_o first_o be_v think_v needful_a to_o see_v it_o execute_v but_o none_o of_o these_o reason_n of_o the_o necessity_n of_o new_a law_n among_o man_n be_v of_o any_o force_n to_o show_v that_o it_o be_v also_o necessary_a that_o god_n shall_v be_v every_o day_n make_v new_a declaration_n of_o his_o will_n and_o that_o no_o stand_v revelation_n can_v be_v sufficient_a for_o all_o time_n for_o the_o law_n of_o god_n be_v positive_a and_o command_a enjoin_v the_o true_a and_o hearty_a love_n both_o to_o god_n and_o man_n and_o every_o natural_a and_o proper_a expression_n thereof_o and_o by_o consequence_n prohibit_v every_o affection_n of_o mind_n and_o every_o outward_a act_n that_o be_v contrary_a thereto_o whether_o it_o be_v express_o name_v or_o not_o and_o the_o obedience_n that_o we_o owe_v to_o a_o divine_a law_n be_v the_o obedience_n of_o the_o heart_n and_o of_o the_o whole_a inner_a man_n such_o as_o look_n beyond_o the_o letter_n to_o the_o design_n and_o intention_n of_o the_o law_n and_o avoid_v as_o careful_o whatsoever_o be_v contrary_a to_o the_o reason_n of_o the_o law_n as_o if_o it_o have_v be_v forbid_v in_o the_o most_o express_a word_n and_o god_n be_v king_n for_o ever_o and_o ever_o have_v the_o same_o relation_n to_o all_o man_n in_o all_o age_n and_o can_v but_o be_v suppose_v to_o design_n the_o good_a government_n of_o his_o subject_n in_o after_o as_o well_o as_o in_o former_a time_n and_o he_o also_o understand_v full_o the_o temper_n of_o all_o his_o subject_n know_v beforehand_o what_o effect_v the_o law_n he_o give_v they_o will_v have_v and_o can_v never_o be_v disappoint_v in_o his_o expectation_n and_o so_o can_v never_o be_v oblige_v to_o repeal_v or_o alter_v any_o of_o his_o law_n by_o a_o unforeseen_a experience_n that_o they_o be_v not_o so_o convenient_a or_o so_o effectual_a as_o he_o think_v they_o will_v be_v and_o last_o he_o have_v all_o power_n in_o his_o hand_n and_o a_o sovereign_a and_o uncontrollable_a dominion_n over_o all_o can_v appoint_v what_o penalty_n he_o please_v to_o the_o transgression_n of_o his_o law_n can_v at_o any_o time_n convict_v transgressor_n by_o his_o own_o unerring_a knowledge_n only_o and_o the_o testimony_n of_o their_o guilty_a conscience_n without_o other_o witness_n and_o have_v it_o in_o his_o own_o single_a power_n without_o any_o help_n of_o other_o to_o execute_v whenever_o he_o will_v whatever_o penalty_n he_o threaten_v thus_o i_o think_v it_o appear_v that_o a_o stand_a revelation_n may_v be_v so_o well_o contrive_v as_o to_o be_v sufficient_a for_o all_o time_n that_o all_o matter_n necessary_a to_o be_v know_v and_o do_v by_o man_n at_o all_o time_n may_v be_v at_o once_o commit_v to_o write_v 2._o but_o second_o though_o this_o be_v grant_v it_o may_v be_v still_o further_o object_v against_o the_o sufficiency_n of_o a_o stand_a revelation_n that_o it_o can_v hardly_o be_v sufficient_o attest_v that_o there_o can_v be_v sufficient_a evidence_n give_v to_o satisfy_v a_o rational_a man_n that_o any_o such_o write_n which_o be_v say_v to_o be_v of_o divine_a inspiration_n and_o authority_n be_v indeed_o so_o and_o that_o 1._o because_o there_o be_v no_o way_n but_o eye-witness_n to_o be_v sufficient_o assure_v that_o any_o book_n be_v write_v by_o the_o person_n who_o be_v say_v to_o be_v the_o author_n of_o it_o 2._o because_o there_o be_v no_o way_n to_o be_v sufficient_o assure_v that_o the_o author_n of_o such_o a_o book_n do_v not_o design_n to_o impose_v upon_o his_o reader_n and_o 3._o because_o no_o man_n can_v be_v sure_a that_o he_o himself_o be_v not_o deceive_v in_o his_o opinion_n of_o his_o own_o inspiration_n or_o of_o a_o revelation_n make_v to_o he_o or_o in_o the_o truth_n of_o any_o other_o matter_n which_o he_o have_v relate_v as_o of_o his_o own_o knowledge_n 1._o it_o may_v be_v say_v that_o there_o be_v no_o way_n but_o eye-witness_n to_o be_v sufficient_o assure_v that_o any_o book_n be_v write_v by_o the_o person_n that_o be_v say_v to_o be_v the_o author_n of_o it_o but_o that_o be_v very_o strange_a that_o there_o shall_v be_v no_o 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in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n it_o must_v be_v either_o in_o the_o matter_n of_o it_o or_o in_o the_o proof_n of_o it_o and_o if_o it_o be_v in_o the_o matter_n of_o it_o it_o must_v be_v either_o that_o it_o do_v not_o give_v we_o sufficient_a direction_n what_o to_o do_v or_o that_o it_o do_v not_o propose_v sufficient_a motive_n to_o persuade_v man_n to_o do_v what_o it_o require_v and_o therefore_o in_o speak_v to_o this_o head_n i_o shall_v show_v 1._o that_o the_o holy_a scripture_n give_v we_o sufficient_a direction_n what_o to_o do_v 2._o that_o the_o motive_n which_o the_o scripture_n propose_v be_v sufficient_a to_o persuade_v we_o to_o do_v what_o it_o require_v and_o 3._o that_o we_o have_v sufficient_a reason_n give_v we_o to_o convince_v we_o of_o the_o truth_n and_o authority_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n and_o consequent_o of_o all_o the_o doctrine_n which_o be_v teach_v by_o it_o 1._o i_o shall_v show_v that_o the_o holy_a scripture_n give_v we_o sufficient_a 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the_o honesty_n and_o veracity_n of_o other_o man_n it_o give_v but_o too_o just_a ground_n to_o think_v that_o the_o reason_n of_o his_o aptness_n to_o distrust_v all_o other_o be_v his_o consciousness_n of_o his_o own_o evil_a design_n and_o of_o the_o little_a regard_n that_o he_o himself_o have_v to_o truth_n in_o his_o own_o assertion_n and_o if_o those_o he_o have_v to_o deal_v with_o shall_v refuse_v to_o give_v any_o credit_n to_o any_o thing_n that_o he_o affirm_v because_o according_a to_o his_o own_o declare_a opinion_n very_o little_a credit_n can_v reasonable_o be_v give_v to_o the_o report_n and_o affirmation_n of_o other_o i_o do_v not_o see_v with_o what_o reason_n he_o can_v blame_v they_o for_o so_o do_v not_o but_o that_o after_o all_o it_o be_v possible_a that_o a_o man_n may_v it_o be_v doubtless_o what_o have_v be_v do_v by_o some_o give_v out_o a_o report_n or_o write_v book_n on_o purpose_n to_o deceive_v mankind_n but_o nevertheless_o i_o say_v that_o it_o 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of_o holy_a scripture_n be_v write_v by_o those_o person_n who_o be_v say_v to_o be_v the_o author_n thereof_o 2._o that_o there_o be_v sufficient_a reason_n to_o give_v full_a credit_n to_o they_o in_o their_o relation_n of_o those_o matter_n of_o fact_n which_o they_o have_v record_v and_o 3._o that_o if_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n record_v in_o the_o scripture_n be_v true_a they_o be_v sufficient_a proof_n of_o the_o truth_n and_o divine_a authority_n of_o all_o the_o doctrine_n that_o be_v therein_o teach_v these_o thing_n therefore_o i_o shall_v now_o endeavour_v to_o make_v good_a but_o in_o speak_v to_o this_o point_n i_o shall_v for_o brevity_n sake_n confine_v my_o discourse_n only_o to_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n partly_o because_o these_o be_v the_o book_n wherein_o our_o christian_a religion_n be_v chief_o teach_v and_o especial_o because_o i_o think_v there_o be_v none_o who_o receive_v the_o new_a testament_n as_o of_o divine_a authority_n that_o do_v or_o â—ndeed_o can_v with_o any_o reason_n reject_v the_o old_a 1._o then_o i_o be_o to_o show_v that_o we_o have_v sufficient_a reason_n to_o believe_v that_o the_o book_n of_o holy_a scripture_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n in_o particular_a be_v write_v by_o those_o person_n that_o be_v say_v to_o be_v the_o author_n thereof_o this_o indeed_o be_v a_o point_n that_o it_o do_v not_o proper_o lie_v upon_o we_o to_o make_v any_o proof_n of_o for_o as_o a_o man_n possession_n of_o a_o estate_n be_v alone_o a_o good_a and_o a_o sufficient_a title_n to_o it_o till_o a_o better_a be_v show_v by_o the_o person_n that_o endeavour_v to_o eject_v he_o so_o it_o be_v here_o these_o book_n be_v general_o receive_v as_o write_v by_o such_o and_o such_o person_n these_o author_n have_v the_o name_n these_o have_v as_o it_o be_v â—he_v possession_n of_o they_o and_o that_o be_v title_n enough_o if_o no_o other_o can_v be_v produce_v so_o long_o as_o no_o evidence_n be_v offer_v to_o show_v that_o 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satisfaction_n and_o pleasure_n to_o a_o man_n although_o his_o title_n to_o his_o estate_n be_v not_o at_o present_a controvert_v if_o in_o look_v over_o the_o write_n and_o evidence_n of_o it_o he_o see_v plain_o how_o it_o descend_v to_o he_o by_o a_o lineal_a succession_n from_o father_n to_o son_n for_o many_o generation_n past_a and_o how_o it_o come_v at_o first_o to_o his_o ancestor_n by_o a_o clear_a and_o fair_a purchase_n from_o the_o former_a possessor_n or_o by_o donation_n from_o the_o prince_n in_o the_o division_n of_o a_o waist_n or_o conquer_a country_n and_o if_o he_o also_o find_v ancient_a terrier_n agree_v in_o the_o same_o measure_n and_o bounding_n and_o exact_o describe_v the_o same_o estate_n which_o he_o now_o possess_v and_o if_o moreover_o look_v far_o back_o he_o see_v that_o upon_o some_o dispute_n or_o lawsuit_n that_o have_v former_o be_v concern_v it_o judgement_n have_v be_v always_o give_v on_o his_o side_n it_o can_v but_o please_v he_o i_o say_v that_o upon_o such_o a_o search_n into_o antiquity_n he_o find_v that_o he_o be_v so_o very_o well_o provide_v to_o make_v out_o his_o title_n if_o there_o shall_v ever_o be_v any_o occasion_n for_o it_o although_o by_o reason_n of_o the_o long_a and_o quiet_a possession_n that_o he_o and_o his_o ancestor_n before_o he_o time_n out_o of_o mind_n have_v have_v of_o it_o he_o have_v no_o just_a cause_n to_o fear_n he_o shall_v ever_o meet_v â—ith_o any_o disturbance_n and_o so_o it_o be_v here_o these_o write_n the_o book_n of_o â—he_n new_a testament_n be_v general_o acknowledge_v to_o be_v â—ritten_v by_o the_o apostle_n of_o christ_n and_o their_o authority_n be_v at_o present_a uncontested_a it_o may_v therefore_o reasonable_o be_v presume_v especial_o by_o those_o who_o have_v â—ot_n part_n or_o learning_n or_o leisure_n to_o examine_v into_o the_o â—easons_n of_o such_o thing_n that_o they_o will_v not_o have_v â—â—en_o so_o universal_o acknowledge_v and_o reverence_v as_o â—â—ey_n be_v upon_o this_o account_n but_o upon_o very_o good_a ground_n though_o what_o the_o ground_n thereof_o be_v they_o â—â—ve_v not_o yet_o inquire_v their_o be_v in_o possession_n be_v â—one_n reason_n enough_o to_o acknowledge_v and_o assert_v their_o â—â—tle_n it_o lie_v upon_o they_o that_o deny_v these_o book_n to_o 〈◊〉_d they_o to_o produce_v satisfactory_a evidence_n of_o their_o â—ing_n forge_v or_o counterfeit_a and_o till_o they_o shall_v proâ—â—ce_v some_o evidence_n thereof_o that_o have_v a_o show_n and_o appearance_n of_o truth_n we_o have_v no_o reason_n to_o be_v stagger_v in_o our_o belief_n by_o their_o bare_a however_o bold_a and_o confident_a denial_n of_o their_o authority_n and_o much_o â—s_n shall_v we_o need_v to_o give_v our_o reason_n for_o our_o reâ—â—ving_v they_o as_o write_v by_o the_o apostle_n till_o our_o adversary_n shall_v offer_v some_o reason_n why_o we_o ought_v not_o 〈◊〉_d receive_v they_o as_o such_o but_o nevertheless_o because_o we_o see_v there_o be_v some_o in_o â—s_n incredulous_a age_n that_o show_v a_o good_a will_n to_o deny_v 〈◊〉_d authority_n of_o these_o sacred_a book_n and_o who_o inâ—est_n it_o will_v be_v to_o prove_v they_o spurious_a and_o beâ—se_o we_o can_v tell_v what_o unwarrantable_a practice_n â—ir_a inclination_n and_o interest_n may_v put_v they_o upon_o 〈◊〉_d what_o write_n or_o evidence_n plausible_o forge_a 〈◊〉_d counterfeit_v they_o may_v hereafter_o produce_v it_o can_v be_v amiss_o for_o we_o to_o inquire_v and_o see_v and_o it_o can_v but_o be_v a_o pleasure_n and_o satisfaction_n to_o we_o who_o hold_v our_o hope_n of_o eternal_a life_n chief_o by_o these_o write_n to_o find_v and_o consider_v how_o well_o provide_v we_o be_v to_o detect_v and_o disprove_v any_o such_o forgery_n if_o they_o shall_v be_v offer_v by_o be_v able_a to_o produce_v in_o opposition_n thereto_o as_o good_a positive_a proof_n that_o these_o book_n be_v genuine_a as_o such_o a_o matter_n be_v capable_a of_o much_o better_a than_o i_o believe_v can_v be_v produce_v for_o the_o authority_n of_o any_o other_o book_n of_o the_o like_a antiquity_n and_o it_o give_v we_o some_o satisfaction_n in_o the_o belief_n wâ—_n have_v be_v breed_v up_o in_o that_o these_o be_v the_o genuiâ—â—_n book_n of_o the_o author_n to_o who_o they_o be_v ascribe_v tâ—_n find_v that_o they_o be_v receive_v as_o such_o not_o by_o a_o smaâ—â—_n party_n of_o man_n not_o by_o that_o church_n and_o nation_n only_o to_o which_o we_o belong_v but_o by_o all_o christian_n disperseâ—_n in_o all_o part_n of_o the_o world_n and_o likewise_o that_o they_o aâ—_n agree_v with_o we_o in_o the_o same_o testimony_n viz._n that_o theâ—_n receive_v then_o as_o such_o from_o their_o father_n for_o thâ—â—_n these_o book_n shall_v be_v thus_o general_o receive_v anâ—_n acknowledge_v
no_o suspicion_n of_o what_o be_v do_v nor_o any_o sense_n of_o that_o great_a alteration_n that_o have_v be_v make_v in_o the_o world_n by_o these_o book_n nor_o any_o remembrance_n afterward_o when_o they_o awake_v and_o find_v themselves_o christian_n that_o they_o have_v be_v of_o some_o other_o religion_n before_o when_o they_o be_v first_o take_v with_o that_o lethargic_a fit_n but_o if_o these_o thing_n may_v be_v what_o be_v there_o of_o this_o kind_n that_o may_v not_o be_v if_o the_o world_n be_v so_o much_o mistake_v in_o this_o matter_n it_o may_v be_v as_o much_o mistake_v in_o any_o other_o matter_n of_o the_o like_a nature_n and_o then_o it_o may_v be_v that_o there_o never_o be_v such_o a_o man_n as_o homer_n or_o virgil_n or_o caesar_n or_o cicero_n or_o plutarch_n or_o any_o other_o of_o those_o person_n as_o who_o write_n we_o now_o receive_v the_o book_n that_o go_v under_o their_o name_n but_o that_o all_o the_o book_n pretend_v to_o be_v write_v by_o those_o author_n and_o likewise_o all_o the_o book_n of_o late_a date_n whereby_o the_o authority_n of_o those_o former_a book_n be_v attest_v be_v in_o like_a manner_n contrive_v and_o make_v and_o disperse_v by_o such_o another_o gang_n of_o crafty_a and_o design_v knave_n who_o take_v a_o pleasure_n in_o abuse_v the_o rest_n of_o the_o world_n or_o hope_v to_o make_v a_o gain_n to_o themselves_o â—hereby_o nay_o then_o for_o why_o shall_v we_o stop_v here_o it_o may_v be_v that_o not_o only_o the_o law_n of_o our_o religion_n but_o the_o law_n of_o our_o civil_a state_n too_o be_v all_o forge_a and_o counterfeit_a it_o may_v be_v that_o once_o upon_o a_o time_n the_o keeper_n of_o the_o public_a record_n have_v by_o much_o and_o long_a observation_n attain_v to_o good_a skill_n â—n_o the_o ancient_a way_n of_o write_v for_o many_o age_n backward_o and_o be_v a_o complete_a master_n of_o his_o pen_n and_o have_v also_o get_v a_o art_n to_o make_v a_o fresh_a write_n seem_v just_a as_o old_a as_o he_o have_v a_o mind_n it_o shall_v be_v think_v to_o be_v do_v compose_v and_o deposit_v in_o â—heir_n proper_a place_n those_o original_a act_n of_o parliament_n which_o be_v now_o take_v to_o be_v the_o law_n of_o some_o of_o our_o former_a king_n and_o that_o to_o confirm_v and_o establish_v his_o fraud_n he_o procure_v some_o other_o person_n at_o the_o same_o time_n to_o write_v or_o print_n and_o to_o convey_v into_o all_o shop_n and_o library_n several_a book_n of_o report_n and_o plead_n wherein_o these_o counterfeit_a act_n be_v cite_v and_o refer_v to_o and_o it_o may_v be_v that_o while_n as_o this_o be_v do_v none_o else_o have_v their_o eye_n open_a to_o see_v it_o nor_o have_v ever_o after_o the_o least_o suspicion_n of_o what_o be_v do_v or_o if_o they_o have_v yet_o that_o they_o be_v so_o well_o please_v with_o the_o cheat_n which_o they_o think_v will_v be_v a_o good_a mean_n of_o preserve_a peace_n and_o justice_n in_o the_o nation_n as_o to_o be_v willing_a it_o shall_v pass_v to_o posterity_n undiscovered_a these_o may_v be_v his_o be_v i_o be_o sure_a every_o whit_n as_o possible_a and_o as_o likely_a as_o the_o other_o either_o therefore_o let_v those_o man_n who_o upon_o this_o account_n doubt_n of_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n or_o who_o will_v make_v other_o doubt_v of_o it_o only_o by_o suggest_v that_o it_o be_v a_o thing_n possible_a in_o nature_n that_o they_o may_v be_v all_o forge_a and_o counterfeit_a let_v they_o i_o say_v either_o entertain_v and_o suggest_v the_o same_o doubt_v concern_v all_o other_o ancient_a book_n of_o the_o antiquity_n and_o authority_n of_o which_o there_o be_v not_o great_a evidence_n than_o there_o be_v of_o these_o and_o then_o they_o will_v render_v themselves_o so_o just_o ridiculous_a to_o the_o world_n that_o there_o will_v be_v no_o need_n to_o expose_v their_o folly_n for_o than_o they_o must_v call_v in_o question_n the_o authority_n of_o all_o book_n and_o the_o truth_n of_o all_o history_n or_o else_o let_v they_o fair_o own_o that_o the_o true_a reason_n of_o their_o make_v a_o doubt_n concern_v these_o book_n rather_o than_o concern_v other_o be_v because_o they_o do_v not_o relish_v the_o matter_n of_o they_o because_o they_o find_v it_o easy_a to_o resist_v that_o strong_a evidence_n that_o be_v give_v of_o the_o authority_n of_o these_o book_n than_o they_o do_v to_o govern_v their_o life_n according_a to_o those_o strict_a rule_n of_o holiness_n and_o purity_n that_o be_v therein_o prescribe_v and_o to_o bring_v their_o will_n to_o the_o obedience_n of_o faith_n and_o if_o they_o will_v but_o own_o this_o which_o i_o believe_v be_v the_o truth_n their_o prejudice_n and_o partiality_n will_v be_v so_o evident_a to_o all_o that_o it_o may_v be_v reasonable_o hope_v their_o impious_a suggestion_n will_v do_v but_o little_a harm_n in_o the_o world_n and_o that_o few_o man_n of_o any_o sense_n or_o reason_n will_v be_v so_o foolhardy_a as_o to_o venture_v their_o soul_n and_o run_v the_o hazard_n of_o a_o miserable_a eternity_n upon_o so_o many_o and_o such_o very_a improbable_a i_o have_v almost_o say_v such_o impossible_a may_v be_v his_o as_o must_v be_v suppose_v to_o have_v be_v if_o indeed_o these_o book_n be_v forge_v and_o counterfeit_a if_o indeed_o they_o be_v not_o write_v by_o those_o person_n who_o they_o be_v common_o ascribe_v to_o but_o yield_v this_o point_n may_n the_o atheist_n or_o infidel_n far_o say_v viz._n that_o the_o gospel_n call_v st._n matthew'_v be_v write_v by_o st._n matthew_n and_o that_o of_o st._n mark_v by_o st._n mark_n and_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o book_n which_o be_v ascribe_v to_o any_o other_o certain_a author_n by_o those_o person_n to_o who_o they_o be_v several_o ascribe_v yet_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o whole_a new_a testament_n will_v not_o by_o this_o concession_n be_v sufficient_o establish_v for_o of_o some_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n the_o author_n be_v not_o know_v of_o other_o they_o be_v doubt_v some_o part_n of_o this_o book_n that_o be_v now_o receive_v have_v be_v reject_v in_o ancient_a time_n and_o uther'_v not_o universal_o receive_v and_o beside_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o in_o the_o early_a time_n of_o christianity_n there_o be_v several_a counterfeit_n gospel_n and_o epistle_n some_o of_o which_o may_v possible_o have_v slip_v into_o the_o canon_n unaware_o and_o last_o if_o it_o be_v grant_v that_o all_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v original_o write_v â—y_a the_o apostle_n or_o other_o inspire_a man_n yet_o however_o the_o book_n that_o we_o now_o have_v be_v but_o copy_n in_o which_o many_o alteration_n may_v have_v be_v make_v by_o design_v man_n or_o careless_a transcriber_n these_o objection_n or_o cavil_v rather_o for_o such_o i_o be_o sure_a they_o will_v be_v account_v in_o any_o other_o case_n against_o the_o authority_n of_o these_o sacred_a book_n have_v be_v urge_v by_o some_o man_n both_o ancient_o and_o late_o but_o they_o have_v be_v also_o so_o well_o and_o full_o answer_v by_o those_o learned_a person_n that_o have_v write_v in_o defence_n of_o the_o canon_n that_o i_o once_o think_v to_o have_v take_v no_o notice_n of_o they_o and_o i_o believe_v have_v not_o do_v it_o but_o that_o i_o consider_v on_o the_o other_o hand_n that_o when_o a_o old_a objection_n that_o have_v be_v answer_v a_o hundred_o time_n be_v urge_v afresh_o a_o great_a many_o may_v take_v it_o for_o a_o new_a one_o and_o if_o it_o be_v not_o quick_o answer_v may_v be_v apt_a to_o think_v it_o unanswerable_a so_o that_o in_o this_o case_n it_o may_v be_v better_a to_o repeat_v the_o same_o answer_n if_o it_o be_v a_o good_a one_o that_o have_v be_v often_o former_o make_v to_o it_o than_o to_o say_v nothing_o and_o beside_o in_o this_o degenerate_a age_n in_o which_o any_o wild_a or_o atheistical_a discourse_n pass_v for_o wit_n it_o may_v be_v the_o hap_v of_o some_o person_n who_o have_v not_o much_o mind_n or_o leisure_n or_o opportunity_n to_o read_v book_n to_o hear_v these_o thing_n in_o conversation_n and_o not_o know_v ready_o what_o answer_v to_o make_v to_o they_o to_o be_v somewhat_o stagger_v in_o their_o belief_n thereby_o especial_o if_o they_o be_v such_o who_o loose_a and_o licentious_a way_n of_o live_v make_v they_o easy_a to_o receive_v without_o examination_n any_o notion_n that_o may_v give_v they_o ease_n or_o encouragement_n in_o sin_n for_o these_o reason_n therefore_o i_o think_v it_o will_v not_o be_v amiss_o especial_o because_o it_o be_v a_o matter_n proper_o belong_v to_o the_o subject_a i_o be_o now_o upon_o and_o because_o i_o have_v some_o time_n leave_v for_o it_o to_o
be_v for_o in_o matter_n of_o common_a testimony_n we_o make_v little_a difference_n between_o speech_n and_o write_v if_o a_o man_n who_o we_o dare_v trust_n send_v we_o a_o letter_n and_o therein_o relate_v such_o and_o such_o thing_n as_o hear_v or_o see_v by_o himself_o or_o as_o well_o attest_v to_o he_o by_o unexceptionable_a witness_n we_o give_v as_o full_a credit_n to_o his_o letter_n as_o we_o shall_v do_v to_o his_o word_n so_o that_o in_o truth_n our_o case_n who_o live_v now_o be_v not_o very_o different_a from_o they_o who_o live_v in_o the_o apostle_n day_n and_o hear_v they_o say_v those_o same_o thing_n which_o we_o now_o read_v in_o their_o book_n and_o if_o we_o think_v those_o inexcusable_a who_o do_v not_o receive_v their_o testimony_n when_o give_v by_o word_n of_o mouth_n we_o can_v in_o good_a reason_n hold_v ourselves_o excuse_v if_o we_o receive_v not_o the_o same_o testimony_n of_o the_o same_o person_n give_v under_o their_o hand_n in_o one_o respect_n indeed_o it_o must_v be_v grant_v that_o they_o have_v the_o advantage_n of_o we_o viz._n because_o they_o may_v be_v sure_a that_o they_o hear_v a_o apostle_n speak_v than_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n will_v admit_v we_o shall_v be_v that_o we_o read_v the_o word_n of_o a_o apostle_n write_v but_o we_o be_v sure_a enough_o of_o this_o we_o have_v as_o good_a moral_a certainty_n of_o it_o as_o we_o can_v have_v of_o any_o thing_n that_o be_v not_o capable_a of_o any_o other_o than_o a_o moral_a certainty_n and_o if_o the_o word_n that_o we_o read_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v the_o word_n of_o the_o apostle_n of_o christ_n we_o have_v in_o some_o respect_n the_o advantage_n of_o those_o who_o live_v in_o those_o early_a time_n for_o we_o have_v the_o concurrent_a testimony_n of_o several_a of_o the_o apostle_n write_v whereas_o hardly_o any_o in_o those_o time_n when_o a_o few_o person_n be_v to_o bear_v witness_n to_o all_o the_o world_n can_v have_v more_o than_o the_o testimony_n of_o one_o single_a apostle_n only_o by_o word_n of_o mouth_n and_o many_o witness_n be_v more_o credible_a than_o one_o and_o beside_o there_o be_v several_a witness_n their_o testimony_n if_o it_o be_v false_a may_v be_v more_o easy_o prove_v so_o by_o their_o disagreement_n with_o one_o another_o than_o the_o testimony_n of_o one_o single_a witness_n can_v be_v and_o last_o a_o write_n which_o we_o may_v review_v and_o read_v over_o as_o often_o as_o we_o will_v and_o which_o we_o may_v take_v what_o time_n we_o please_v to_o consider_v of_o may_v be_v more_o thorough_o understand_v and_o better_o digest_v than_o a_o sermon_n or_o discourse_n only_o once_o speak_v can_v well_o be_v but_o if_o it_o be_v grant_v that_o the_o faith_n of_o the_o first_o convert_v to_o christianity_n which_o come_v by_o hear_v of_o the_o apostle_n may_v be_v build_v upon_o more_o certain_a and_o infallible_a ground_n than_o we_o that_o come_v only_o by_o read_v be_v and_o some_o reason_n may_v perhaps_o be_v give_v hereafter_o why_o it_o be_v fit_a it_o shall_v be_v so_o it_o be_v enough_o however_o to_o render_v our_o infidelity_n inexcusable_a if_o the_o ground_n of_o faith_n that_o we_o now_o have_v be_v very_o rational_a if_o they_o be_v a_o sufficient_a support_n for_o such_o a_o faith_n as_o will_v enable_v we_o to_o please_v god_n and_o to_o overcome_v the_o world_n and_o this_o may_v be_v far_o say_v for_o our_o comfort_n and_o to_o make_v we_o easy_a and_o satisfy_v with_o those_o ground_n and_o reason_n of_o faith_n which_o be_v afford_v to_o we_o by_o the_o write_a testimony_n of_o the_o apostle_n in_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n that_o as_o there_o be_v more_o certainty_n in_o that_o belief_n if_o it_o may_v be_v call_v belief_n which_o be_v ground_v upon_o demonstration_n or_o infallible_a evidence_n so_o there_o be_v more_o praise_n and_o virtue_n in_o that_o good_a disposition_n of_o mind_n which_o make_v we_o rest_v satisfy_v with_o such_o ground_n of_o faith_n as_o though_o not_o absolute_o and_o infallible_o certain_a yet_o can_v with_o any_o good_a reason_n be_v deny_v or_o except_v against_o accord_n to_o that_o say_v of_o our_o saviour_n to_o st._n thomas_n in_o a_o like_a case_n with_o which_o i_o shall_v conclude_v joh._n 20.29_o thomas_n because_o thou_o have_v see_v i_o thou_o have_v believe_v bless_v be_v they_o that_o be_v they_o be_v more_o bless_v their_o faith_n be_v more_o excellent_a and_o praiseworthy_a and_o so_o will_v entitle_v they_o to_o a_o great_a reward_n who_o have_v not_o see_v and_o yet_o have_v believe_v which_o blessedness_n that_o we_o may_v all_o attain_v god_n of_o his_o great_a mercy_n and_o goodness_n grant_v for_o the_o sake_n of_o our_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n etc._n etc._n finis_fw-la errata_fw-la pag._n 8._o l._n 19_o for_o then_o r._n they_o book_n print_v for_o walter_n kettilby_n at_o the_o bishop's-head_n in_o st._n paul_n churchyard_n a_o sermon_n preach_v before_o the_o honourable_a the_o house_n of_o commons_o at_o st._n margaret_n westminster_n january_n the_o 30_o 1698_o 9_o the_o sufficiency_n of_o a_o stand_a revelation_n a_o sermon_n preach_v at_o the_o cathedral_n church_n of_o st._n paul_n jan._n one_a 1699_o 700._o be_v the_o first_o for_o the_o year_n 1700._o of_o the_o lecture_n found_v by_o the_o honourable_a robert_n boyle_n esq_n the_o sufficiency_n of_o the_o scripture_n revelation_n as_o to_o the_o matter_n of_o it_o be_v the_o second_o for_o the_o year_n 1700._o of_o the_o lecture_n found_v by_o the_o honourable_a robert_n boyle_n esq_n these_o three_o by_o offspring_n blackall_n rector_n of_o st._n marry_o aldermary_n and_o chaplain_n in_o ordinary_a to_o his_o majesty_n a_o persuasive_a to_o prayer_n a_o sermon_n preach_v before_o the_o king_n at_o st._n james_n a_o sermon_n preach_v before_o the_o lord_n spiritual_a and_o temporal_a in_o parliament_n assemble_v in_o the_o abbey_n church_n at_o westminster_n jan._n 30_o fifteen_o sermon_n preach_v on_o several_a occasion_n the_o last_o of_o which_o be_v never_o before_o print_v these_o three_o by_o the_o most_o reverend_a father_n in_o god_n john_n lord_n archbishop_n of_o york_n primate_n of_o england_n and_o metropolitan_a the_o faith_n and_o practice_n of_o a_o church_n of_o england_n man._n a_o false_a faith_n not_o justify_v by_o care_n for_o the_o poor_a prove_v in_o a_o sermon_n preach_v at_o st._n paul_n church_n mystery_n in_o religion_n vindicated_n or_o the_o filiation_n deity_n and_o satisfaction_n of_o our_o saviour_n assert_v against_o socinian_o and_o other_o with_o occasional_a reflection_n on_o several_a late_a pamphlet_n these_o two_o by_o luke_n milbourn_n a_o presbyter_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n two_o sermon_n of_o mr._n young_n about_o nature_n and_o grace_n preach_v at_o whitehall_n the_o sufficiency_n of_o the_o scripture-revelation_n as_o to_o the_o proof_n of_o it_o part_n ii_o two_o sermon_n preach_v at_o the_o cathedral-church_n of_o st._n paul_n april_n 1_o st_o and_o may_v 6_o the_o 1700._o be_v the_o four_o and_o five_o for_o the_o year_n 1700_o of_o the_o lecture_n found_v by_o the_o honourable_a robert_n boyle_n esq_n by_o offspring_n blackall_n rector_n of_o st._n marry_o aldermary_n and_o chaplain_n in_o ordinary_a to_o his_o majesty_n london_n print_v by_o j._n leake_n for_o walter_n kettilby_n at_o the_o bishop_n head_n in_o st._n paul_n churchyard_n 1700._o st._n luke_n xvi_o 29_o 30_o 31._o abraham_n say_v unto_o he_o they_o have_v moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n let_v they_o hear_v they_o and_o he_o say_v nay_o father_n abraham_n but_o if_o one_o go_v unto_o they_o from_o the_o dead_a they_o will_v repent_v and_o he_o say_v unto_o he_o if_o they_o hear_v not_o moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n neither_o will_v they_o be_v persuade_v though_o one_o rise_v from_o the_o dead_a the_o point_n i_o enter_v upon_o the_o proof_n of_o the_o last_o time_n be_v this_o 3._o that_o we_o have_v 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of_o the_o apostle_n or_o else_o in_o after_o time_n and_o if_o they_o be_v destroy_v by_o the_o christian_n this_o must_v have_v be_v do_v either_o soon_o after_o they_o be_v write_v or_o else_o after_o they_o have_v be_v for_o some_o time_n receive_v and_o allow_v as_o true_a history_n by_o the_o adversary_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n now_o if_o it_o be_v suppose_v that_o these_o book_n be_v not_o write_v till_o a_o good_a while_n after_o the_o apostle_n have_v preach_v and_o the_o evangelist_n write_v the_o gospel_n they_o be_v write_v too_o late_o to_o be_v of_o sufficient_a authority_n to_o weaken_v the_o credit_n of_o the_o gospel-history_n for_o how_o can_v those_o that_o be_v not_o bear_v when_o the_o thing_n record_v in_o the_o gospel_n be_v say_v to_o be_v do_v pretend_v to_o contradict_v the_o testimony_n of_o those_o who_o be_v live_v at_o that_o time_n and_o who_o testify_v either_o that_o they_o see_v they_o with_o their_o own_o eye_n or_o that_o they_o receive_v that_o account_n of_o they_o which_o they_o publish_v from_o very_o credible_a person_n who_o say_v they_o have_v be_v eye_n witness_n thereof_o but_o if_o it_o be_v suppose_v that_o these_o book_n be_v write_v soon_o even_o as_o soon_o almost_o as_o the_o evangelist_n write_v or_o the_o apostle_n begin_v to_o publish_v by_o their_o preach_v the_o gospel_n history_n then_o i_o say_v it_o be_v impossible_a they_o shall_v be_v suppress_v and_o destroy_v by_o the_o christian_n either_o then_o or_o afterward_o not_o then_o for_o though_o we_o grant_v that_o christianity_n from_o the_o very_a first_o preach_v of_o it_o make_v a_o very_a swift_a progress_n in_o the_o world_n and_o from_o a_o beginning_n no_o big_a than_o a_o grain_n of_o mustardseed_n grow_v up_o quick_o to_o be_v a_o goodly_a tree_n shadow_v many_o nation_n under_o the_o branch_n of_o it_o yet_o it_o do_v not_o spring_v up_o like_o a_o mushroom_n in_o a_o night_n it_o do_v not_o grow_v to_o this_o bigness_n all_o at_o once_o and_o what_o be_v the_o christian_n in_o the_o weak_a and_o infant_n state_n of_o the_o church_n but_o a_o handful_n of_o man_n in_o comparison_n with_o their_o numberless_a opposer_n and_o those_o too_o without_o wealth_n without_o power_n of_o no_o interest_n or_o esteem_n in_o the_o world_n that_o they_o shall_v undertake_v to_o corrupt_v or_o stifle_v the_o evidence_n that_o be_v give_v against_o they_o which_o be_v support_v by_o the_o secular_a power_n and_o glad_o receive_v and_o embrace_v by_o all_o other_o man_n but_o themselves_o what_o be_v they_o that_o they_o shall_v be_v able_a to_o call_v in_o all_o the_o book_n that_o have_v be_v write_v against_o they_o and_o to_o suppress_v and_o destroy_v they_o at_o their_o pleasure_n and_o that_o too_o so_o full_o and_o effectual_o as_o that_o with_o the_o book_n themselves_o which_o they_o destroy_v all_o memory_n of_o they_o shall_v likewise_o perish_v a_o powerful_a and_o prevail_a party_n with_o the_o government_n on_o 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